muezzin
/mu:'ezin/
Definition
Noun: - A Muslim man appointed to recite the call to prayer (adhan) from the minaret of a mosque, traditionally five times a day.
Usage
The word "muezzin" refers specifically to the person who performs the call to prayer. It is a formal title for this religious role. - The muezzin's call echoed through the quiet streets at dawn. - In many mosques, the muezzin now uses a microphone, but the tradition remains the same.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Role: The role of the muezzin is one of the oldest in Islam, traditionally requiring a strong, clear, and melodious voice.
- Modern Context: While the call is often amplified electronically, the person who delivers it is still referred to as the muezzin.
Variants and Related Words
- Muezzins (n): The plural form.
- The conference was attended by imams and muezzins from across the region.
Synonyms
- Caller to prayer: A direct descriptive synonym.
- Mu'adhdhin: The original Arabic term from which "muezzin" is derived.
Noun
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the Muslim official of a mosque who summons the faithful to prayer from a minaret five times a day
